Real Madrid’s red cards: Antonio Rudiger ‘threw object’ at referee, Jude Bellingham’s ‘aggressive behaviour’

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Antonio Rudiger could be banned for between four and 12 matches after being sent-off in the Copa del Rey final for “throwing an object” at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, while his Real Madrid team-mates Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vazquez were also shown red cards.

Rudiger — who had been substituted out of the game along with Vazquez by the time of their reds — had to be held back by his team-mates and coaching staff and appeared to throw a missile in the direction of De Burgos Bengoetxea.

Madrid lost the showpiece 3-2 against Barcelona, with Jules Kounde’s strike in the 116th minute clinching victory for Hansi Flick’s side to end a thrilling final.

Germany international defender Rudiger, who had been substituted off in the 111th minute for Endrick, was shown a direct red card after launching an object in the referee’s direction from the substitute’s bench in the closing stages of extra time.

De Burgos Bengoetxea’s referee’s report said of the former Chelsea defender’s dismissal: “For throwing an object from the technical area which did not reach me. After being shown the red card, he had to be held back by various members of the coaching staff, while he showed an aggressive attitude.”

Rudiger posted an apology on his social media accounts on Sunday: “There’s definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I’m very sorry for that.

“We played a very good game from the second half on. After 111 minutes I was not able to help my team anymore and before the final whistle I did a mistake. Sorry again to the referee and to everyone I have disappointed last night.”

The referee’s report also details how Vazquez, who had been substituted off in the 55th minute, was dismissed “for protesting one of our decisions, entering various metres onto the playing surface, and making gestures of disconformity.”

Bellingham, who completed the full 120 minutes, was sent-off after the match. “He came towards us with an aggressive attitude, having to be held back by his teammates,” De Burgos Bengoetxea’s report added.

Vazquez and Bellingham are likely to be charged under article 124 of the Spanish Federation’s (RFEF’s) disciplinary code, which would likely bring a two-game ban, to be served in next season’s Copa del Rey.

Any sanction for Rudiger, however, is likely to be more severe.

The 32-year-old may be deemed to have breeched article 101 of the RFEF’s disciplinary code, which encompasses: “Mild violence toward the referees. Grabbing, pushing, or shaking, or generally using other attitudes toward the referees that, while only mildly violent, will result in a suspension of four to twelve matches.”

While suspensions in domestic Spanish football are competition-specific, a ban of four or more matches crosses competitions and should Rudiger trigger that, he is at risk of missing a large section of the side’s La Liga run-in.

Ahead of Saturday’s final, referee De Burgos Bengoetxea cried during a pre-match conference as he detailed the impact criticism from Madrid’s in-house television channel and other outlets has had on him and his family.

He became visibly emotional as he described an occasion where his son had returned home from school in tears because classmates had called the 39-year-old official a “thief”.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side return to action on May 4 at home to Celta Vigo before travelling to Barcelona seven days later.

(Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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